Chapter VII.—Polycarp is found by his
pursuers.

His pursuers then, along with horsemen, and taking the
youth with them, went forth at supper-time on the day of the
preparation431431 That is, on
Friday. with their usual weapons, as if going out against a
robber.432432 Comp.
Matt. xxvi. 55. And being come about
evening [to the place where he was], they found him lying down in the
upper room of433433 Or,
“in.” a certain little house, from which he might
have escaped into another place; but he refused, saying, “The will
of God434434 Some read
“the Lord” be done.”435435 Comp. Matt. vi. 10;
Acts xxi. 14. So when he heard that they
were come, he went down and spake with them. And as those that were
present marvelled at his age and constancy, some of them said. “Was
so much effort436436 Or,
“diligence.” made to capture such a venerable
man?”437437 Jacobson
reads, “and [marvelling] that they had used so great diligence to
capture,” etc. Immediately then, in that very hour, he
ordered that something to eat and drink should be set before them, as
much indeed as they cared for, while he besought them to allow him an
hour to pray without disturbance. And on their giving him leave, he stood
and prayed, being full of the grace of God, so that he could not
cease438438 Or, “be
silent.” for two full hours, to the astonishment of
them that heard him, insomuch that many began to repent that they had
come forth against so godly and venerable an old man.